Why Horses & Humans are a Match Made in Heaven

My dad gave me my first horse when I was twelve. She arrived late at night in the middle of an Arizona rainstorm. I couldn't believe it when my dad's friend drove up with a horse trailer and unloaded it at our home. Needless to say, I was in euphoric shock.

I had met this horse earlier in the week. My dad took me over to see the new arrivals. She had a clouded eye, a gash from her front shoulder to rear quarters and a coat to rival a Wooly Mammoth. She had been driven down from Utah snow country in an open trailer with a group of horses. When a semi got too close, the horses bolted away and flipped the trailer.

We had an immediate connection. Everywhere I went, she followed. And now she was mine.

I ruled the desert in those days . . . riding bareback, barefoot and using a hackamore . . I never put a bit in her mouth. If I got off, I would just grab a piece of mane and swing back on.

As soon as I got home from school, I'd change my clothes, grab a snack and head out to Babe's corral for a ride. I was one of about eight preteen girls—all with their own horses—who would meet up in the desert daily.

The boys soon followed . . . they wanted to race. I raced each one on their Tote Goats (mini bikes) and beat them one after another. Eventually, they all disappeared in shame.

Our girl group sought out adventures on our trusty steeds. We would ride to a pond not too far away and stand on our horses' backs and pick pomegranates from a tall tree. We would lay on our horses' backs for hours as we caught up with stories of our lives.

As the sun headed down, I would gallop home to get there before Dad went out in the car to look for me. This was long before cell phones. I only returned home late once and he had just left. I felt so bad that I was never late again.

That horse made me the person I am today. Horses do that.

When parents ask me the best sport for their little girl I always reply "horseback riding". I go on to tell them that if a tiny girl can control a giant horse and tell them to move over, leave that alone, get off my foot . . . she'll have built strong boundaries for herself. They'll never have to worry about an inappropriate boyfriend.

Why is the calming nature of horses so important in our chaotic world?

Because a horse's electromagnetic field is five times larger than a human heart. It beats slower which has a calming effect on whoever they are around.

Horses' Role as Healers

Though holding a special place in our lives for centuries, it wasn't until the mid-1900s that horses were discovered to have the ability to heal.

While grooming and riding horses is therapeutic in itself, horses are also masters in reducing stress, anxiety and blood pressure. Being around horses can teach social skills and boost one's confidence. Equine-assisted therapy provides support—without judgement—for trauma patients and even those with PTSD.

"While some refer to the “magic of horses,” this research underscores that it's more than magic—it’s communication at work. Horses’ ability to reflect human emotion without judgment helps clients develop trust, gain insight, and achieve breakthroughs in their healing journey. Equine-assisted mental health sessions offers  powerful, nature-integrated paths to healing trauma. With their unparalleled sensitivity, horses bridge the gap between emotion and expression, enabling deep, life-changing therapy experiences."—Purdue University, College of Veterinary Medicine

Horses in the Corporate World

Horses have most recently joined the corporate world in teaching professional development and leadership skills. Many Fortune 500 companies are using the horse to teach their executives communication, empathy and relationship-building lessons.

"Eventually, the concept spread to the Coaching world, and has been developing as a standard practice ever since.  The concept of Executive Coaching as a development modality is itself a newer practice; the addition of horses to this impactful process is cutting edge in the world of professional development. Forbes reported in 2024 that this holistic approach to leadership coaching is indeed growing! Companies like Microsoft, American Express, BlueCross BlueShield, KPMG, UBS, Northwestern Mutual, AT&T, RE/MAX, Johnson & Johnson, Genentech, and HP are just a few examples of companies who have sought out cutting edge equine assisted coaching programs for their executives over the years"—Stacy Wood, Equine Factor facilitator

Horses and humans are indeed a match made in Heaven.

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